Thursday, June 9, 2011

Review: Fairy Bad Day

THE STORYEmma Jones is going to be a dragon slayer. Her mom was one of the best, and Emma has been training to follow in her footsteps since she was little. With her mom's sudden death a few years before earning the title of dragon slayer is even more important, and all she needs is that little slip of paper from her principal to make it official.

When he finally hands her designation over, for a few brief moments Emma feels nothing but bliss. Until she looks at what it says. She's been assigned to fairies. She's a fairy slayer. Tiny, irritating, not-threatening-in-the-least fairies. And Curtis Green has been given her dragons.

Angry, upset, and generally wallowing in self pity, Emma attempts to learn about fairies and how to kill them since all the books at her school are maddeningly devoid of information about them. To her shock, one day Emma sees an enormous creature she thinks is a dragon but is actually a fairy, except no one else can see it and only her two best friends, and surprisingly Curtis, believe her. Soon the boy she's supposed to hate for ruining her life becomes something more, and the two of them team up to destroy a fairy bigger and badder than any dragon.

MY THOUGHTSFairy Bad Day is a charming story full of humor and general hilarity, leaving us thoroughly entertained and earning itself a place on our shelves among those stories that are go-to reads when we need a big smile on our faces. The characters are all adorably quirky and have sharp wits they put to good use on a regular basis, their antics making for a fun, light read that succeeds in being memorable despite not being a story that elicits a potent emotional reaction in us. Each chapter brings a delightful coupling of elements–silly humor with serious mystery, giddy attraction with tragic loss, and ridiculous mischief with intense responsibility–thereby undeniably satisfying us on a multitude of levels as we shut the back cover tingling with the pleasant warmth of having finished and all-around good read.

Emma is a young woman with admirable drive and determination, bent on honoring her mother's memory by becoming a dragon slayer and living the life she's always wanted. Unfortunately, the school's tests indicate Emma is to be a fairy-slayer instead, a designation with far less danger and prestige, and one she believes takes considerably less skill. Though we understand her initial extreme disappointment and anger, her whining to anyone who will listen about the injustice of the slight she's suffered begins to get old fast, as does her openly hostile treatment of Curtis. Luckily for us though, Emma does climb her way out of the pit of selfish despair she so dramatically throws herself in at the beginning, shoring up her resolve and embracing her new status as the world of fairy-slaying suddenly proves to be much harder and much more dire than it first appeared.

Curtis is an outstanding male lead, a young man with a talent he doesn't choose to flaunt but rather remains exceedingly modest, his more quiet nature drawing us to him easily as we seek to shield him from Emma's impressive wrath with our affection. While we can tell he's attracted to Emma we're also very aware he's keeping secrets, and though he has fairly perfect looks, the imperfections and vulnerabilities lurking beneath the pretty face are what hold our interest and pique our curiosity. Their relationship is plagued with little misunderstandings, the kind that set our nerves on edge as we puff up in vicarious outrage on behalf of one or the other, and we find ourselves fully vested in every tense silence, every almost kiss, and every casual touch.

Overall, Fairy Bad Day is sweet and funny, taking us on a quick journey through a world of mythical creatures but very human emotions, and is sure to be a joy to read for all those looking to grin foolishly and giggle uncontrollably as evil is fought and love is found.

I'm glad that this one is actually funny! It sounded like it would be quite hilarious, but you never know what it might actually be like. I'm definitely going to check this one out... as much as deeply emotional books are great, sometimes it's awesome just to read something FUN!

I have to admit that the title of this book put me off. However, after I read your review I went back and looked at the synopsis and this book actually sounds like a hoot. I am glad I did not pass over the review today. Thank you for sharing.

This book sounds so cute!! I really like how you describe Curtis. I really want to know what secrets he is keeping... ;) Hopefully this one should be in my mailbox today. =) Thanks for the wonderful review, Jenny!

Yeah, yeah, I'm so excited it was good. I've been waiting for your review on this because the storyline was something that intrigued me. I'm very excited to read this and your review has only made it more so. And that cover, it cracks me up. I think the whole thing makes me want to jump into the book and get a good look around and the madness that is Emma's world.

Hey Jenny! Wow - thank you so much for such a lovely and thoughtful review! I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed Fairy Bad Day. And thanks to everyone else for the kind comments - you've totally made my day!!!

Normally a book with a cover like this wouldn't make it on my radar, but I've seen so many positive reviews for it that I'm reconsidering. It sounds sweet and cute...I could use some of that in my reading repertoire! Great review, Jenny :)

I've been torn about this one. It looks fun, but it also looks incredibly cheesy! Your review brings it more into the realm of fun, so much so that I think I'm going to get it. At least I know who to blame if I don't like it. :)

I enjoyed your review and it's the first that's made me want to read the book.

I kinda feel like this has a "Hex Hall"ish feel to it... With its hilarity and everything. So what does that mean? Obviously that we are in for a treat! Thanks for the great review Jenny! I will have to add this one higher up in my TBR pile!

It sounds as if the fun and charming plot out weighs the whiny nature Emma gives in the first part of the book. I love a book that makes me laugh and have been wanting to read this one since I first saw the cover. Thanks for the review. Need to check this one out.

Great review! I loved this one too. Light and fun, with some serious moments as well. I loved Curtis and never expected his secret to be what it was.I'll definitely read this one again. I loved the little fairies and their humor.